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Watching Hodgson through this season he has been exceptional. I think he manages the ruck as well as any hooker I have seen. What I mean by this is rather than just clean distribution from the ruck Hodgson takes the markers out of the game with clever movement and really gives his big forwards some opportunities to gain metres. If they get the timing right you could see the big English props really benefiting from this style.

He is a starting hooker I think as he manages the game. That is now one of Roby's strengths now and I wonder if he could revert back to the role of impact hooker again.

I would go with Hodgson/Clark or Roby /Clark. Not sure which combination at this stage but a very nice dilemma to have.

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"Hodgson is ranked third in try assists (six), third in dummy-half metres (770), third in dummy half runs (107), equal fourth in line-break assists (five), fourth in kicks made (41), fifth in tackle breaks (28), fifth in offloads (12), fifth in run metres (893) and fourth in number of runs (124).

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like grand finals and the like? you know the one 12 months ago when james roby won the game almost single handedly

The one that McIlorum didn't play in because he was out injured?

McIlroum is a fantastic player and is key to Wigan. I would say he is our second most important player after O'Loughlin. People keep going on about him giving away penalties but as I have already said on this thread, he has only given away 2 more than Roby and isn't even in the top 50 penalty conceders this year.

I wouldn't want McIlorum playing for any other team than Wigan. It is clear when he is on the pitch as Wigan play better.

McIlroum is a fantastic player and is key to Wigan. I would say he is our second most important player after O'Loughlin. People keep going on about him giving away penalties but as I have already said on this thread, he has only given away 2 more than Roby and isn't even in the top 50 penalty conceders this year.

I wouldn't want McIlorum playing for any other team than Wigan. It is clear when he is on the pitch as Wigan play better.

but roby did play and won the game for saints with a virtuoso performance, the only other hooker i have seen do that was terry newton, mcillorum isn't fit to lace eithers boots

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But that is only to be mentioned in the group of second tier hookers. You will be hard pressed to find a single Wiganer who would pick him ahead of Roby or insist that he be picked at all. And their an awful lot of Wiganers about. He is better than his detractors give him credit for. Though only in games he plays in, to give Viking Warrior his due. He will almost certainly be anonymous at Wembley this year.

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Have you watched much of the Cowboys this year? Granville is as good as Roby if not better. Still young and will replace Smith in time for Australia and Queensland. Very rarely has he had a bad game and is one of the reasons why the Cowboys are so good this year. Cant believe the Broncos allowed him to leave.